A an etremely rare
(one of only 15 other documented examples) of Lorica Hamata Squamataque. A
unqiue type of armor only known to be associated to the Romans, which was
constructed with small brass rings and attached scales. This armor was
essentially a hybrid armour consisting a mail linked armour with
interwoven brass scrales.

The shear small size the pieces of the
armour are themselves astounding. The ringed portion consists of
alternating rows or riveted and solid rings. The solid rings are only
~3.5mm wide and the riveted rings are less than 5mm wide. The scales are
then attached to each row of riveted rings and the scale attaching point
is folded over 90 degrees so the scale lays flat on the rings. The scales
themselves are also very small compared to the normal Squamata
scales. There is a center ridge on the scales created by hammering the
flat scale into a groove through a technique called "coining". This makes
the scale stronger and more rigid.

The overall armour would have appeared
incredibly impressive owing to its small hanging scales and would have
flowed and moved incredibly well with the wearer. The small number of
known examples also attests to its rarity and likely limited use. A type
of armor only reserved to the top elite Roman.

Based on reconstruction work by
Erik.Schmid it is estimated that nearly 20,000 scales and 160,000
rings were needed to complete the armor. Without taking into account the
work and time needed to mine the ore, make the wire, punch the solid ring
and make the scales, it is estimated that it would take 1 person nearly
500 days to complete the garment. Such labor and time would certainly have
contributed to the extreme rarity of the armour.

When ever the armour is discussed there are questions
raised on whether it would have been effective in battle. Without testing
accurate reconstructed examples it is hard to make concrete opinions on
that question. It can however be noted that the armour was clearly
designed with strengthening additions (such as the hardened centra rib on
the scales). The overlaping and "community" effect of the scales, and mail
backing also make the armour appear stronger than the individual sizes
would warrant. As is noted by Matijn Wijinhoven, the many overlaping
scales (3) actually make the scale section alone .75-.9mm thick. The
combined thickness of the armour with the mail backing is approximately
4mm. These thicknesses are comparable (if not better) than other Roman
armour examples.(1)(2)

Drawing example of how the rings would
have looked (from Martijn Wijnhoven)

Click on Pictures for higher resolution

Close up examples

(1) References to
similar items: The Journal of the Mail Research Society, Volume 2. No.1
Martijn Wijnhoven, Erik Schmid.

(2) References to similar items: Putting the Scale into
Mail- Roman and Thracian Hybrid Armour of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD,
Martijn Wijnhoven XVIII RoMEC

**Note on background.
Close up view of the wall of the Colosseum of Pula, Croatia.
Picture taken2014